Bathing suit



P s. F. DE BENEbETTO 2,013,554

BATHING SUIT Filed Nov. 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR SalwzlOfe Ifle fimmello MW, ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1935. s. F. DE BENEDETTO 5 BATHING SUIT Filed Nov. 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Salvatore fie fienedella N EYS Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics g 14 Claims.

The present invention relates to bathing suits, and has for a general object the provision of a strapless bathing suit which is free from supporting straps commonly positioned over the shoulders or about the neck of the wearer, is attractive, comfortable and efficiently self-support- A more particular object of the present invention is the provision of such a bathing suit which is free from shoulder straps or similar supporting means positioned over the shoulders or about the neck of the wearer and efiiciently self -supporting to cover the chest of the wearer; fits snugly and comfortably, tending to give the wearer more freedom than do the usual types of suits, presents a pleasing appearance, and allows the wearer to obtain an even sun-tan on the shoulders and neck and, if desired, on the back unmarred by pale stripes common to the use of strap-supported bathing suits.

A further object is the provision of such a bathing suit which is provided with supporting means at the waist of a. wearer upon which is supported relatively stiif resilient members adapted to fit the body of the wearer and efiiciently to support the upper portion of the suit adapted to cover the chest of the wearer.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view with parts broken away of one form of the bathing suit of the present invention;

Fig.2 is a rear view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rear side of the supporting member used therein;

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view with parts broken away taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of a modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rear side of the supporting member used in the form shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of a further modification; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rear side of the supporting member used in the form shown in Fig. 7.

In accordance with the present invention a strapless bathing suit is provided which is selfsupporting and free from the usual supporting means positioned over the shoulders or about the neck of a wearer. This is accomplished by means including a relatively stiff member, that is, an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material such as a narrow strip of fiat spring steel, metallic Wire, bone, suitable composition and the like. This member is shaped to fit across the chest of the wearer, under the arms and to extend down to supporting means at the waist of the wearer. The supporting means at the waist is preferably a belt of relatively heavy stiff material such as leather or heavy woven material. The belt may be positioned either externally or internally of the bathing suit and is made suitably adjustable, asby means of adjustable fasteners, buckles, an elastic section, or by formation from a suitably heavy and stiff elastic material. The adjustable feature is necessary to allow the waist of the bathing suit to be pulled up over the hips of the wearer.

The supporting member has at least the front portion adapted to cross the chest of the wearer fastened to the bathing suit in any suitable manner, preferably by turning the edge of the suit thereover and stitching the turned over edge to the body of the suit. To make certain that the supporting member does not fall forward various means may be used. In a bathing suit having a portion covering the back of the wearer the back portion serves this purpose. By having the side portions of the supporting member fitted around the body of the wearer and. converging down the back such tendency is avoided. This result may be augmented by the use of auxiliary ties or straps, preferably adjustable, extending between the side portions. A similar function is performed by the structure of the preferred form of supporting means wherein the ends of the supporting member are rigidly secured to the relatively stiff supporting belt.

Referring to the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts throughout. A bathing suit shown therein comprises a main body portion H) of any suitable material such as knitted fabric having an upper part II adapted to cover the chest of a wearer. In the modification shown in Fig. 1, the upper part ll is secured to a member l2 of relatively stiff material, that is, an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material, for example, spring steel. The member I2 comprises a portion I3 adapted to cross the chest of the wearer and side members I 4, I4 adapted to fit under the arms and down the back of the wearer. The side portions I4, I4 converge, as is shown in Fig. 2, have their ends I5, I5 supported upon a belt I6 at the waist of the body portion Ill, and preferably are secured thereto by means such as rivets IT. The securing means, such as rivets I'I, may also serve to secure the ends I5, I5 and the belt I6 to the body III. The belt I5 is further secured to the body II), when the ends I5, I5 are secured to the belt, by means of the marginal portion I 8 of the upper part of the body which is shown turned over and stitched to the body of the suit to cover the member I2. The belt I6 is made suitably adjustable as by means of a buckle I9.

When desired suitable means are provided for securing side portions I 4, I4 together to insure against the upper part of the body of the suit fallingaway from the body of the wearer. Such means may comprise ties or straps 20, 20 secured in any suitable manner to the side portions I4, I4, for example by rivets or eyelets 2|, as shown in detail in Fig. 4. These straps are preferably provided with adjustable means such as buckles 22, 22 and a strap 23 is preferably provided with end loops 24 and 25 respectively to receive the belt I6 and the ties or straps 28, 20.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the side portions I4, I4 are crossed at the back and secured to the belt I6 in any suitable manner, either through the body I and on top of the belt I6 or underneath the body I E and belt I6, by suitable means such as rivets I'I. Crossing of the side portions I4, I4 avoids any necessity of the use of ties or straps therebetween across the back although such auxiliary tying means may be used if desired. The elimination of the tying straps across the back, however, will allow the wearer to obtain a sun-tanned back unmarred by pale stripes that may be caused by ties or strap-s.

In Figs. 7 and 8 another modified form is shown wherein the belt I6 is mounted internally of the body II of the bathing suit. In this form when the belt is made adjustable by the use of the buckle I9, such means for adjustment are preferably disposed at the back, as shown, to allow ready access thereto.

It is obvious that many modifications within the scope of the invention are possible. Any desired openwork or openings may be provided in the body of the bathing suit. Auxiliary tying means of various shapes and combinations may be positioned across the back. at various points from a short distance above the waist line to just below the neck line, which may be secured to side portions of the upper supporting members 'or to the body of the bathing suit. In the modification shown in Figs. and 6, the crossing side portions may be detachably secured together at the point of crossing after the suit has been put on. In the modifications shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and 7 and 8, the converging side portions may be spaced farther apart or closer together, even substantially meeting at the belt. In the latter case adjustment of the internally positioned belt may be had by the use of an elastic section in the belt or by the use of elastic material in its formation.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from aoiass the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 7

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

, 1. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination an upper body part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, a supporting belt adapted to be disposed at the waist of the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material shaped to fit across the chest, under the arms and down the back with the portions down the back converging and the ends thereof supported on said belt'at the back, said body portion having the upper marginal edge thereof fastened to said resilient member.

2. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an external belt at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustablyabout the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material comprising a portion fastened to the upper marginal portion of said upper part to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions fastened to said body portion shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer with the ends thereof supported at the back on said belt.

3. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an external belt fastened at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and covered by the upper edge of said body portion comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging downthe back of the wearer with the ends thereof rigidly secured to said belt.

4. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, a belt at the waist of said body portion to be secured -adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material comprising a, portion to extend across the chest of the wearer fastened to the marginal portion of said upper part and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer without crossing with the ends thereof supported on said belt.

5. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an external belt fastened at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and covered by the upper edge of said body'portion comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer without crossing with the e'nds'thereof rigidly secured to adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an external belt fastened at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and covered by the upper edge of said body portion comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer without crossing with the ends thereof rigidly secured to said belt, and means in the back tying said side portions together.

'7. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an internal belt at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and covered by at least the front part of the marginal portion of said body portion comprising a portion to extend across, the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer with the ends thereof supported on said belt.

8. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, an internal belt fastened at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and covered by the upper edge of said body portion comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms and converging down the back of the wearer with the ends thereof rigidly secured to said belt.

9. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, a belt at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer fastened to the marginal portion of said upper part and side portions shaped to fit under the arms of the wearer and crossing in the back with the ends thereof supported on said belt.

10. A strapless bathing suit comprising in combination .a body portion having an upper part adapted to cover the chest of ,a wearer, a belt fastened at the waist of said body portion to be secured adjustably about the wearer, and an elongated semi-rigid member of resilient material secured to and substantially covered by the upper edge of said body portion comprising a portion to extend across the chest of the wearer and side portions shaped to fit under the arms of the wearer and crossing in the back with the ends thereof rigidly secured to said belt.

11. A garment comprising in combination an upper body part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, supporting means adapted to be disposed at the waist of the wearer, a member of stiff material fastened to the upper portion of said body part across the front, a pair of stiff supporting members mounted on said supporting means at the back shaped to pass upwardly under the arms of a wearer and supporting said member across the front, and means to secure said supporting members together positively to prevent them from falling forward.

12. A bathing suit comprising in combination an upper body part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, supporting means adapted to be disposed at the Waist of the wearer, a semirigid member of resilient material having a portion adapted to cross the chest fastened to the upper portion of said body part and side portions passing under the arms and down the back of the wearer with the ends thereof supported on said supporting means, and means tying said side portions together.

13. A garment comprising in combination an upper body part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, supporting means adapted to be disposed adjacent the waist of the wearer, a pair of semi-rigid supporting members supported at the back on said supporting means and. shaped to pass upwardly under the arms of a wearer, means securing said members to said upper body part whereby the latter is supported, a flexible tie having each of its ends secured to one of said semi-rigid members in the vicinity of the shoulder blade of the wearer when the garment is worn, said tie constituting two portions converging downwardly and meeting substantially medially, means to secure said tie to said supporting means, and adjustable means for cooperation with said tie and said last mentioned means to foreshorten the distance between said semirigid members at the points of securement of said tie thereto.

14. A garment comprising in combination an upper body part adapted to cover the chest of a wearer, stifiening means associated with the upper body part adapted to extend across the chest of the wearer toward the arm-pits, supporting means adapted to be disposed at the waist of the wearer, and a pair of relatively stiff supporting members located in the back, each having its lower end supported on said supporting means at the Waist in the vicinity of the small of the back of the wearer and its upper portion extending upwardly toward the arm-pit of the wearer when the garment is worn with said upper portion of said supporting member secured to an adjacent portion of said upper body part and associated stiffening means, said relatively stifi supporting members having at least their upper portions laterally spaced apart in the vicinity of the shoulder blades of the wearer and cooperating with said stiffening means to support the portion of said garment covering the chest of the wearer.

SALVATORE F. DE BENEDETI'O. 

